Posts tagged Trips

Few weeks back I went to North Dakota at one customer site, that town was literally in middle of nowhere. And roads were just flat straight line. Being long time resident of CT, I find it difficult to drive when I have to drive in one straight line for 70-80 miles

Well, it was really a good time at Axesh’s (that is name of friend we were visiting at Iron Station, NC) home. He is family known to us since our days back to India. It was fun remembering old days and we played cards till very late. Being resident of CT, I was quite amazed of wide open houses which were as a matter of fact quite cheap !! And if you want to buy something you have to go all the way @ 6-7 miles till you find first store !! His house was quite closer to nuclear power plant, and when we asked them, they were unaware of any evacuation plans !! I mean, I won’t feel safe to live such a closer to nuclear plant and even if I live I will have at least some planning (well, its another matter of discussion that weather I will be able to escape the effected zone in time )

And next day as usual I woke up late in the morning (my mom says person who stays in bed even after sun rises is act of devil ). We were actually not in hurry to leave because, our next destination was in fact quite close by (Raleigh, NC). When we reached at Raleigh, it was almost late evening.

Next day we went to few places, most of ‘em were pretty boring for me. I liked to botanical garden of Duke University though. I spent my two days by playing with our hosts WII, PS3 and fixing their two broken desktops (that was actually fun ) …

Well, there are many places to see at the national reserve. But if you are looking for tall buildings and crowded cafes then its not your place to be… If you like to feel the nature then you are at the right place my friend. In all these days this is only what we have been doing. Camping, Hiking, Horse Riding, Tubing in water streams. I guess when I will return, I may already have lost few pounds … I think it is the best place to live retire life.

We went to Cherokee… a native indian reserve. You can shop at traditional shops at downtown or visit Harrah’s casino. For someone like me who has never seen an original indian culture, feel more attracted to downtown then casino … but anyways, it took almost all day.

Next day, first we did hiking on a trail (don’t as me name, I get really confuse with them) but it was really cool. The trail was having beautiful fall in the end. Then we went to have a little scenic view… it is called “Cades Cove Loop Road”. The road itself is made of loop. And it has some pretty old establishments, some of the first habitats of this forest. Their houses were as old as 150+ years old. Something I liked the most was the old mill. Which is a tourist welcome center now. We originally planned to visit Fontana Dam the same day, but it took lots of time then we expected so we didn’t got enough time left to visit dam. So we will be going other day.

Cades Cove Loop Road

Another day at first we did tubing. It is far different experience then tubing in water park. Here tubing trail was natural and water is real so you have to careful too specially when you are with kids. Then we went to see the Fontana dam. Being electrical engineering background, I was more interested in construction and working of it. When we reached there, I was amazed just by looking at it. It reminded me, my visit to hydroelectric station during my undergraduate studies (at that time we were taken to the base of power plant where actual turbine resides). It has 3 generators which produces ~300MW. And water in reservoir is collected from 9 states surrounding it (my guess) … and you know, I got chance to have see the american bald eagle in action!!! Actually they are not easy to be seen but I guess it was my lucky day.

In the last day we were returning back to our friend’s home at Iron Station, NC. Before that we decided to pay a visit to Biltmore Estate. It is largest home in the USA with more than 200 rooms to live by !!! (I would surely get lost ). $60 per adult may feel a killing price just to see an old house, but I think its worth it once you really visit it.

Now I am really feeling tired, so will just upload this post once we reach at our friend’s place and go to bed. Tomorrow will be nothing but just sleeping and eating authentic home made indian food

Yessssss … finally after @ 10 hrs. of crazy drive we are finally at our motel at Gatlinburg. And it was night already so we had to skip the idea to go to Clingmans Dome. Instead we moved around the city. It was not night at Times Square for sure but undoubtedly it was very “live”. It looks like recession hasn’t been here yet . Lots of places to be … and to see. But to be honest I felt little too crowed. Overall I enjoyed it.

And, the trip has officially begun for me. We reached at our motel by 11:30 pm and we have to reach our temple exactly by 12:00 (as it is time when viewings will begin). Unfortunately we didn’t make it, we reached there by 12:30 and viewing was already closed. My mom felt that it is all because we (me and my brother) have not enough faith !!! Now, how I do I explain her that it was only because of traffic … But I guess, we can not change someone’s mind whose thoughts are based on faith not on facts.

Actually, today was really important day for us to visit temple. It was the day where Lord Krishna (who was 8th reincarnation of Lord Vishnu), and one of the most prayed god among Indians like my family. “Religion” is considered to be a quite sensitive topic to talk now a days. But for me religion has a bit different definition. I think, during early ages of civilization person’s life was so disorganized so some “wise” people created some sort of rules to live by life. But as a human nature, people don’t accept changes without any solid reason to those “wise” people gave them reasons in form of religion … but like I said, its just my theory.

So, for this long weekend and few more days we are going to visit the great Smokey mountains (TN). Actually we are planning to stay there for about 3-4 days and I am sure that it is going to be very exciting. From what I’ve heard / read, it is some place where I wanted to go and live. Beautiful hills, dense forests, scenic trails, cool streams / falls of fresh spring water and feel of living all natural life is at best Smokey can offer. Actually the Great Smokey Mountain lies between North Carolina and Tennessee which is part of Appalachian Mountain Range. I am more excited to see native Indian culture(Cherokee Indian Reserve is an Indian Reserve). Also I felt that southern people speaks in little different tone (it is more sweet then northern states ) so I am sure that it will be really good experience.

Well, at present our designated route is something like this,

Day 1: Going to Vraj. It is Schuylkill Haven, PA. About 2-3 hrs. drive from my home and will be there by 11.30 pm. Main reason to go there is because it is the day where “Lord Krishna” born thousands of years ago and it is one of the largely celebrated religious festival in Hindus.